The failure of two embankments at the three-stage dam in Kütahya province over the weekend threatens to turn into the most dangerous environmental crisis Turkey has faced thus far, Güven Eken, the chairman of the environmental Doğa Association, told the Hürriyet Daily News on Monday.
Without sufficient intervention, the failure of the dam could increase pollution levels 100-fold, Eken said.
“This will neither be the first incident nor the last in Turkey. The existing mentality on the environment lays the ground for such disasters,” he said. “The Environment and Forestry Ministry said precautions have been taken, but it is too late to take precautions. Precautions are for problems that have not yet been formed. Now, intervention is required.”
Environment Minister Veysel Eroğlu visited the scene of the incident and said there is no leak except from the pools. “There is no leak or mixture of cyanide waste anywhere except from the pools. It is a problem between the pools themselves and there is no leak outside. The technical staff [of the facility] is taking the [necessary] precautions and following the developments closely,” he said.
The minister proposed that a comprehensive rescue and action plan be immediately prepared that would address who would take care of the economic expenses if people have to be evacuated from neighboring villages. He also said the use of underground water in the area should be evaluated from sociological, ecological and economic dimensions. Read More